The Subaru SVX World Network   SVX Network Forums
Live Chat!
SVX or Subaru Links
Old Lockers
Photo Post
How-To Documents
Message Archive
SVX Shop Search
IRC users:

Go Back   The Subaru SVX World Network > SVX Main Forums > Technical Q & A

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-31-2004, 06:50 PM
Chiketkd's Avatar
Chiketkd Chiketkd is offline
Row faster...I hear banjos!!!!
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Posts: 10,334
Wink Low rpm rattle w/ fix...

Throughout my first month of ownership, I've noticed a low rpm rattle that sounded like it was coming from the exhaust area right below my seat. The noise would start when I first depressed the gas pedal and go away above 2000+ rpms...

As I had some free time this weekend, I decided to prop my car up and see what was amiss... I was horrified to find that one of the bolts that attached my exhaust to a hanger, in front of the secondary cat, was completely missing!

Not sure how it came to be missing in the first place, but I knew that the dealership I bought my car from had to replace both primary cats and O2 sensors. The mechanic must have ended up with an extra nut & bolt at the end of the install and probably just tossed them in ignorance!

Anyway, I found a strong nut & bolt in my toolbox and they worked just great. Afterwards, I took the car out for a spin and the rattle was gone!

-Chike

P.S. That's the second bolt I've found missing from my SVX - the other one was in the engine bay area and attached one of the fuel lines to a bracket - I noticed that one the day after I bought the car and replaced it right away!!!
__________________
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something." - Plato

2013 Cosmic Blue 5spd Evo X GSR
2006 Galaxy Gray 6MT RX-8 (sold)
2006 Steel Gray WRX TR (sold)
1996 Brilliant Red SVX L (sold)
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 06-01-2004, 06:25 PM
n00b on demand's Avatar
n00b on demand n00b on demand is offline
OMGWTFBBQ!!1!11!LMAOROFLC OPTER
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: New York City
Posts: 5,114
i have a rattle coming from underneath my car when going uphill. I dont think it happens when i am traveling on a normal road but if i have my windows down and am traveling uphill i can hear a rattle. I have no clue what it is.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-01-2004, 07:15 PM
Bobb Bobb is offline
Registered User
Subaru Gold Contributor
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Ypsilanti,Michigan
Posts: 1,170
Rattle

Hi everyone, I believe the sound you are hearing is the heat shield that goes around the exhaust system. It can be fixed. There should be a how to fix if you look for it. Take care, BOBB
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 06-01-2004, 07:55 PM
Chiketkd's Avatar
Chiketkd Chiketkd is offline
Row faster...I hear banjos!!!!
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Posts: 10,334
What is the heat shield that you speak of? Each cat convertor has a 'shield' covering it. I checked the one covering my secondary cat, and the bolts were on tightly. I didn't check the primary cats, but the noise went away so I didn't bother...

-Chike
__________________
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something." - Plato

2013 Cosmic Blue 5spd Evo X GSR
2006 Galaxy Gray 6MT RX-8 (sold)
2006 Steel Gray WRX TR (sold)
1996 Brilliant Red SVX L (sold)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 06-01-2004, 08:15 PM
Bobb Bobb is offline
Registered User
Subaru Gold Contributor
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Ypsilanti,Michigan
Posts: 1,170
Shields

Hi Chike, If you have an OEM exhaust like from the factory, then you have shields over most of the exhaust system. If not then some previous owner removed them. I also had a rattle in the rear muffler but it was only heard from the rear of the car, on the outside. Just ift the SVX and bang on the shields/exhaust and see if you hear the rattle. Take care, BOBB
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 06-01-2004, 08:25 PM
Chiketkd's Avatar
Chiketkd Chiketkd is offline
Row faster...I hear banjos!!!!
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Posts: 10,334
Re: Shields

Thanks Bobb. I'll have my car jacked up this weekend and take a look. The OEM exhaust is still on there but I didn't look at the shields near the rear of the car...

Your input is always welcome.

-Chike
Quote:
Originally posted by Bobb
Hi Chike, If you have an OEM exhaust like from the factory, then you have shields over most of the exhaust system. If not then some previous owner removed them. I also had a rattle in the rear muffler but it was only heard from the rear of the car, on the outside. Just ift the SVX and bang on the shields/exhaust and see if you hear the rattle. Take care, BOBB
__________________
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something." - Plato

2013 Cosmic Blue 5spd Evo X GSR
2006 Galaxy Gray 6MT RX-8 (sold)
2006 Steel Gray WRX TR (sold)
1996 Brilliant Red SVX L (sold)
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 06-01-2004, 09:25 PM
deruvian
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
There are heatshields around the exhaust headers, from behind the headers up to the piping to the primary cats, the primary cats, and from behind the primary cats up to the secondary cat. I'm not 100% sure if there is a shield around the secondary cat, but I don't think so.

The only other heatshield is on the underside of the gas tank, for obvious reasons.

Last edited by deruvian; 06-01-2004 at 09:28 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 06-01-2004, 09:51 PM
Chiketkd's Avatar
Chiketkd Chiketkd is offline
Row faster...I hear banjos!!!!
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Posts: 10,334
Would there be any -ve effect if I removed the heat shields? The only one 'relatively' close to the trans is the secondary cat, but the primary cats and headers are far away. Also, other members who have added complete aftermarket exhaust systems had to do away with the shields w/ no ill effects.

I'm thinking of weight reduction here, those heat shields must add a few pounds...

-Chike

P.S. I wouldn't touch the gas tank one for obvious reasons!
__________________
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something." - Plato

2013 Cosmic Blue 5spd Evo X GSR
2006 Galaxy Gray 6MT RX-8 (sold)
2006 Steel Gray WRX TR (sold)
1996 Brilliant Red SVX L (sold)
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 06-01-2004, 11:11 PM
deruvian
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Quote:
Originally posted by Chiketkd
Also, other members who have added complete aftermarket exhaust systems had to do away with the shields w/ no ill effects.
Precisely.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 06-02-2004, 03:19 AM
svxistentialist's Avatar
svxistentialist svxistentialist is offline
Jersey Girl
Alcyone Gold Contributor
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Ireland
Posts: 8,270
Send a message via Skype™ to svxistentialist
Registered SVX
Keep cool

The heat shields are there for a reason.

No doubt many have taken them off because of the buzzing or rattling, or changed to a system that did not use shields. The -ive effects will be long term, mostly.

More radiated heat will get to the floor of the car, which will then heat up the interior. In summer, this will give your aircon much more to do.

A possible worse effect is long-term, this extra heat may harden and perish any wiring harnesses around the transmission tunnel, and possibly any other rubber parts in there.

Long term, as I say, problems from this would not show up for a while.

You pays your money and takes your choice.

Joe
__________________
Black Betty [Bam a Lam!] '93 UK spec, still languishing Betty
Jersey Girl Silver '92 UK [Channel Isles] 40K Jersey Girl @ Mersea
Candy Purple Honda Blackbird Plum Dangerous
White X2 RVR Mitsubishi 1800GDI. Vantastic

40,000 miles Jersey Girl
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 06-02-2004, 08:10 AM
Chiketkd's Avatar
Chiketkd Chiketkd is offline
Row faster...I hear banjos!!!!
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Posts: 10,334
Re: Keep cool

Hmmm.... (contemplates shaving ~10lbs off of his already 'bloated' ride)

-Chike
Quote:
Originally posted by svxistentialist
Long term, as I say, problems from this would not show up for a while.
__________________
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something." - Plato

2013 Cosmic Blue 5spd Evo X GSR
2006 Galaxy Gray 6MT RX-8 (sold)
2006 Steel Gray WRX TR (sold)
1996 Brilliant Red SVX L (sold)
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 06-02-2004, 08:32 AM
red95svx
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Don't the heat shields keep the exhaust at some sort of "optimal" temperature or something like that??





Dave
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 06-02-2004, 12:14 PM
Green1995SVX
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I had a similar rattle and it was caused by a loose baffel (sp?) within the primary muffler. I had it cut out and replaced with a straight pipe.

Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 06-02-2004, 12:16 PM
deruvian
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Re: Keep cool

Quote:
Originally posted by svxistentialist
The heat shields are there for a reason.

No doubt many have taken them off because of the buzzing or rattling, or changed to a system that did not use shields. The -ive effects will be long term, mostly.

More radiated heat will get to the floor of the car, which will then heat up the interior. In summer, this will give your aircon much more to do.

A possible worse effect is long-term, this extra heat may harden and perish any wiring harnesses around the transmission tunnel, and possibly any other rubber parts in there.

Long term, as I say, problems from this would not show up for a while.

You pays your money and takes your choice.
I've spoken about the shields with an excellent local exhaust shop around here. Apparently, the shields can also have long-term negative effects by being there as well.

The shields essentially insulate the piping, which holds the heat between the shields and the pipe. This causes the piping to heat up more than it would if it didn't have the shields. Apparently, this can corrode and break down the piping.

I haven't had the car long enough to know if it's true, but everything else about them has always been very reputable.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 06-02-2004, 12:34 PM
Chiketkd's Avatar
Chiketkd Chiketkd is offline
Row faster...I hear banjos!!!!
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Posts: 10,334
Looks like that loose baffel was somewhere in your resonator? That straight pipe appears to be in the place where the resonator would normally be...

-Chike
Quote:
Originally posted by Green1995SVX
I had a similar rattle and it was caused by a loose baffel (sp?) within the primary muffler. I had it cut out and replaced with a straight pipe.
__________________
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something." - Plato

2013 Cosmic Blue 5spd Evo X GSR
2006 Galaxy Gray 6MT RX-8 (sold)
2006 Steel Gray WRX TR (sold)
1996 Brilliant Red SVX L (sold)
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:07 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
© 2001-2015 SVX World Network
(208)-906-1122